How did your life outside of school contribute to your academic success? What role, if any, did your family play? How did your life outside of school influence how you performed in school and what you chose to study?
Someone said “We are not defined by the challenges in our lives” This cannot be truer in my parents’ lives. My most inspiring role models in my life were my parents. My parents affected my academic life through their example of determination and resilience. Also, through the choices they made in order to provide me with the best educational opportunities that they did not have.
One way my parents affected my education is by given me opportunities to grow as a person. When I was growing up my parents enrolled me in poetry and drama classes to help me with my shyness. Through this class I learned skills that helped me get out of my shell. Another way that my parents encouraged me was by enrolling me in flamenco dance classes. I was also given the opportunity to take charango and zampona classes. Charango is a small Andean stringed instrument and zampona is an Andean pan flute; both are ancient musical instruments. At the time I was not very fond of our Andean culture, so my parents encouraged me to learn more about my grandparents’ culture. I never knew it then, but it truly was a privilege to be introduced to such an ancient musical instruments. Now, I am very appreciative of my grandparents’ culture. The drama, dance and music classes definitely played an important role in my education and the person I am today.
Along with the extracurricular opportunities, my parents made sure I attended one of the best schools. I was enrolled in a German Catholic School. The school was run by German nuns. I had the opportunity to learn about a different culture and even a second language, German. I was not only exposed to an outstanding curriculum but also to religion. Therefore, religion became part of my education. This became more important as I went through my preteen years. It helped me to have well-balanced teenage years.
Through my parents I learned that you could overcome almost anything. My parents both had a very difficult childhood. My parents taught me that with hard work, determination, passion and perseverance anything is possible. My mom is a very tenacious, compassionate and very strong woman. She overcame unimaginable obstacles -many people would have just given up. Both of her parents were alcoholics. She was physically abused and neglected. However, she was determined to change her destiny. Through hard work and determination she attended and received her college degree in elementary education. My dad’s family was extremely poor. In Bolivia, if you are poor your chances of attending college are none. Despite the odds, he never gave up on his dream of becoming a physician. He worked very hard for many years; later as a nontraditional student attended medical school and years later he received a scholarship to do his residency in pediatrics in Mexico. My parents taught me that if you want something, and if you have “ganas” which means a great desire, then you have the power to be successful. They also taught me, despite the obstacles that we decide our destiny.
My parents moved us to the US so that we can be provided with the best education possible. They made great sacrifices to make this dream a reality. My life as an immigrant was not easy; I worked long hours and attended college full time. Quitting was never an option. Through the difficult challenges, I reminded myself of my parents’ struggles. This put my struggles in perspective, they were nothing compared to theirs. Graduating from college was one of my proudest accomplishments. I felt a great satisfaction; my parents’ sacrifices were not in vain.
Both my parents influenced my education greatly. My mom has always been my infinite source of strength; my dad has been my source of inspiration. My dad is the reason I majored in science. He is the reason I am so passionate about nature and science. If it were not for my parents’ support and encouragement, my academic life would have had a different outcome. It is because of the opportunities they provided me, that I became the person I am today.
Someone said “We are not defined by the challenges in our lives” This cannot be truer in my parents’ lives. My most inspiring role models in my life were my parents. My parents affected my academic life through their example of determination and resilience. Also, through the choices they made in order to provide me with the best educational opportunities that they did not have.
One way my parents affected my education is by given me opportunities to grow as a person. When I was growing up my parents enrolled me in poetry and drama classes to help me with my shyness. Through this class I learned skills that helped me get out of my shell. Another way that my parents encouraged me was by enrolling me in flamenco dance classes. I was also given the opportunity to take charango and zampona classes. Charango is a small Andean stringed instrument and zampona is an Andean pan flute; both are ancient musical instruments. At the time I was not very fond of our Andean culture, so my parents encouraged me to learn more about my grandparents’ culture. I never knew it then, but it truly was a privilege to be introduced to such an ancient musical instruments. Now, I am very appreciative of my grandparents’ culture. The drama, dance and music classes definitely played an important role in my education and the person I am today.
Along with the extracurricular opportunities, my parents made sure I attended one of the best schools. I was enrolled in a German Catholic School. The school was run by German nuns. I had the opportunity to learn about a different culture and even a second language, German. I was not only exposed to an outstanding curriculum but also to religion. Therefore, religion became part of my education. This became more important as I went through my preteen years. It helped me to have well-balanced teenage years.
Through my parents I learned that you could overcome almost anything. My parents both had a very difficult childhood. My parents taught me that with hard work, determination, passion and perseverance anything is possible. My mom is a very tenacious, compassionate and very strong woman. She overcame unimaginable obstacles -many people would have just given up. Both of her parents were alcoholics. She was physically abused and neglected. However, she was determined to change her destiny. Through hard work and determination she attended and received her college degree in elementary education. My dad’s family was extremely poor. In Bolivia, if you are poor your chances of attending college are none. Despite the odds, he never gave up on his dream of becoming a physician. He worked very hard for many years; later as a nontraditional student attended medical school and years later he received a scholarship to do his residency in pediatrics in Mexico. My parents taught me that if you want something, and if you have “ganas” which means a great desire, then you have the power to be successful. They also taught me, despite the obstacles that we decide our destiny.
My parents moved us to the US so that we can be provided with the best education possible. They made great sacrifices to make this dream a reality. My life as an immigrant was not easy; I worked long hours and attended college full time. Quitting was never an option. Through the difficult challenges, I reminded myself of my parents’ struggles. This put my struggles in perspective, they were nothing compared to theirs. Graduating from college was one of my proudest accomplishments. I felt a great satisfaction; my parents’ sacrifices were not in vain.
Both my parents influenced my education greatly. My mom has always been my infinite source of strength; my dad has been my source of inspiration. My dad is the reason I majored in science. He is the reason I am so passionate about nature and science. If it were not for my parents’ support and encouragement, my academic life would have had a different outcome. It is because of the opportunities they provided me, that I became the person I am today.